Canon 1DX - Manual Mode - Where is EC in VF

Ok this may seem stupid but in M on the 1DX with a 580EXII I only see FEC on the Quickdial When I push the EC button on top I see no adjustment level in the view finder? Firmware Version 2.0.3

However on my 5DMKIII in M with a 580EXII mounted I push the EC button on top and the adjustment scale appears.

Shouldn't the 1DX work the same as the 5DMKIII?

Not sure about the 1DX but on most Canon DSLR's, in M or manual mode EC is disabled, since that is what manually setting the camera is all about. Want an additional stop, chose a different shutter speed or aperture as needed!

No your are right, I was just curious why the 5D MKIII has it and the 1DX does not? You would think the more expensive cam would have it?

On the 1DX if you want to dial in a little FEC you need to use the Quick dial,.

Perhaps someone with a 1DX will chime in on this?

picworx wrote in post #17256166
Ok this may seem stupid but in M on the 1DX with a 580EXII I only see FEC on the Quickdial When I push the EC button on top I see no adjustment level in the view finder? Firmware Version 2.0.3

However on my 5DMKIII in M with a 580EXII mounted I push the EC button on top and the adjustment scale appears.

Shouldn't the 1DX work the same as the 5DMKIII?

The question should really be "why does the 5D3 have the EC button functional in M mode?" Are you sure that isn't actually FEC?

EC, as you know, is exposure compensation, to get an exposure that is different from that set by the camera in auto and semi-auto modes.

In manual mode EC has no meaning. You adjust your exposure directly.

But FEC still works in manual mode because the flash itself is automated.

-js

number six wrote in post #17256237
In manual mode EC has no meaning. You adjust your exposure directly.

Actually, exposure compensation has meaning in manual mode if (and only if) auto-ISO is also being used. I don't know if auto-ISO in manual is supported by the 1DX, though.

...Mike

picworx wrote in post #17256166
Ok this may seem stupid but in M on the 1DX with a 580EXII I only see FEC on the Quickdial When I push the EC button on top I see no adjustment level in the view finder? Firmware Version 2.0.3

No, since you are in manual mode, and when you use M mode with manually set ISO, there's nothing to compensate. You decide the setting yourself.

That's impossible to do, since the 5D Mark III doesn't even have any EC button on top. It has an FEC button, but no EC button. Only the 1DX has both.

No, being a more advanced camera, the 1DX has some additional features and buttons. It lacks some too, due to some clever target market adaption.

Yes I meant the FEC(EC) button is rendered inoperative when a flash is mounted atop but the quick dial for FEC is available.

Just on the 5D MKIII this function appears in the VF, just questioning why the difference between the 2 cams thats all.

Again, are you talking about the FEC button (labelled somthing like Z+/-), which on the 1DX is to the rear left of the prism, and is shared with the metering pattern selection button, or are you talking about the EC button (labelled +/-), which on the 1DX is located on the front right, in front of the top display and between the ISO and WB buttons?

The quickdial (rear dial on camera) normally doesn't adjust FEC without first pressing the FEC button. It does adjust EC when the metering is active, without having to press the EC (+/-) button first. Are you talking about the Quick menu maybe, the one that's accessed by first pressing the Q button?

I think the only Canon that does exposure comp in Manual is the 7D2 when using Auto ISO. Could be wrong on that though and it might be a feature on the 1D X or 5D3 now.

On the 1DX its the one next between WB and ISO, in manual it has no function but if you go to the Quick button on the back the FEB allows you to adjust.

On the 5D3 the button on top allows you to adjust in Manual

Keyan wrote in post #17257460
I think the only Canon that does exposure comp in Manual is the 7D2 when using Auto ISO. Could be wrong on that though and it might be a feature on the 1D X or 5D3 now.

Only(so far) the 1DX and 7D2 have EC in M with Auto ISO, 5D3 does not.

Page 177 and 178 of the 1DX manual explains it all. Done through custom functions.

I am fortunate to have a 1DX but don't shoot manually and don't use auto ISO either as it can lead to some quite bizzare results.

LincsRP wrote in post #17257614
Page 177 and 178 of the 1DX manual explains it all. Done through custom functions.

I am fortunate to have a 1DX but don't shoot manually and don't use auto ISO either as it can lead to some quite bizzare results.

Bizzare(sic) in what way?

picworx wrote in post #17256298
Yes I meant the FEC(EC) button is rendered inoperative when a flash is mounted atop but the quick dial for FEC is available.

Just on the 5D MKIII this function appears in the VF, just questioning why the difference between the 2 cams thats all.

The 5DIII and many other Canon models use one scale for two (or more) purposes...

1. In any of the auto exposure modes (Av, Tv, P and in some cases Auto ISO), the scale displays Exposure Compensation, which allows the user to override the automation to a preset amount.

2. In manual mode on those cameras the scale instead acts as a meter readout. There is no automation to override, so EC doesn't exist in full manual mode.

3. In flash mode, that scale also can display Flash Exposure Compensation... but let's forget about that for now, since it just confuses things.

Your 1DX (and now the 7D2) uses two separate scales in the viewfinder instead.

1. The Exposure Compensation scale appears horizontally at the bottom of the VF when the camera is in any of the auto modes and is turned off when the camera is in manual mode.

2. The metering scale appears vertically on the righthand side of the VF.

Two separate scales is actually a superior arrangement, once you understand the difference. For one, it's immediately apparent when you have the camera set to fully manual (i.e., on the cameras with one scale serving two purposes depending upon mode, it's easier to set the incorrect mode). Also, using one scale for both purposes leads to a lot of misunderstanding of Exposure Compensation vs fully manual match needle metering. In fact, this thread is pretty good evidence of how it causes confusion among users.

mfunnell wrote in post #17256280
Actually, exposure compensation has meaning in manual mode if (and only if) auto-ISO is also being used. I don't know if auto-ISO in manual is supported by the 1DX, though.

...Mike

Good point. But why would you want to use auto-iso in manual mode anyway?